Former Socialist Minister Criticises Government Over Immigration Policy Shift
Former Socialist minister Ana Catarina Mendes accused the government of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro of encouraging negative public sentiment toward immigrants that had not previously existed in Portugal. Mendes argued that Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro has yielded to far-right rhetoric and warned that setting up a dedicated immigration and borders unit within the Public Security Police (Polícia de Segurança Pública or PSP) is a serious mistake. While she credited the current administration for clearing backlogged residency files, she defended the structural necessity of the civil immigration agency.
Ana Catarina Mendes is a Member of the European Parliament and a senior figure in the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista). She previously served as the Minister in the Presidency from 2022 to 2024, where she managed government coordination and parliamentary relations. Those following national politics should note her role in mediating high-level agreements between the country's major political parties.
António Leitão Amaro is Portugal's Minister of the Presidency (Ministro da Presidência) in the government led by Luís Montenegro. He is a key figure in the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) and often is the government's spokesperson. Those following housing and rental policy should note his role in announcing the June 2024 measures regarding evictions and inheritances.
The PSP (Polícia de Segurança Pública) is Portugal's national civilian police force, founded in 1867. Responsible for defending Republican democracy and safeguarding internal security and citizens' rights, the PSP polices major cities—Lisbon, Porto, Faro—and large urban areas, covering only 4% of Portugal's territory but roughly half the population. Led by a National Director under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, its approximately 21,500 officers handle preventive policing, crime investigation, public order, airport security, diplomatic protection, private security regulation, firearms licensing, and border control (since 2023).
PSP vs. GNR: The PSP is civilian with police-focused training and urban jurisdiction, while the GNR (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is military (gendarmerie) with military training, covering 96% of Portugal's rural and suburban territory. Both share core public safety missions but differ fundamentally in nature, training, and geographic responsibility.
